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Brian Purkey

Brian Thomas Purkey, 53, of Morgantown, passed away July 30, 2018, at JW Ruby Memorial Hospital, after a long battle with complications due to paraplegia. He was born July 2, 1965, in Philadelphia, the son of Chelya “Shelly” Wilson Purkey and the late Thomas Oliver Purkey.

Brian was a 1983 graduate of Morgantown High School and attended West Virginia University and graduated from Fairmont State University. He worked for 25 years until his retirement as a Contract Specialist with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He loved participating in sports and played baseball at WVU and FSU. He also participated in weight lifting and wheelchair basketball along with many other sports.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his daughter, Lauren Diane Purkey, of Morgantown and sister, Melissa Jo Baldwin, of Volga.

In keeping with his wishes, cremation services have been entrusted to Hastings Funeral Home.

Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home from 4 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 2, and from 1 – 2 p.m. on Friday, August 3, followed by a memorial service to celebrate his life with the Rev. Kevin Cain officiating.

Private family inurnment will take place at a later date at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Phillipi.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, ATTN: Director of Annual Giving, PO Box 016960 (R48), Miami, FL, 33101.